Frequently Asked Questions

General FAQs

• Where can I get the latest news on the Lakeland Police Department?

  You can follow us on social media to keep up with the latest news and happenings within the department and the City of Lakeland!

  We are on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube as LakelandPD.

• What's the difference between Lakeland Police Department & Polk County Sheriff's Office?

  The Lakeland Police Department specifically serves the City of Lakeland, whereas the Polk County Sheriff's Office serves not just parts of unincorporated Lakeland but the entirety of Polk County. We partner with each other often on calls and in events. The biggest difference: their favorite color is green, and ours is blue!

• If I need to meet with a stranger in a neutral place, can I use the station?

  Of course! We encourage citizens to use the station, whether it's the parking lot or inside the lobby, as a neutral meeting place if they are meeting with a stranger (i.e. Facebook marketplace or eBay exchanges). We have cameras around the station and the lobby is open 24/7 with a station duty officer.

• Where do I go for fingerprinting services?

  The Lakeland Police Department does not offer fingerprinting services other than for employment with the City of Lakeland.  Please contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office if you are in need of fingerprinting. Additional information can be found at http://www.polksheriff.org/programs-services/fingerprinting

Citizen Compliment/Complaint FAQs

• How do I file a compliment or complaint on an employee of the police department?

  Compliments and complaints may be registered at the Police Department or City Hall with City Commissioners or other authorized individuals. Citizens are asked to complete a complaint form that includes a sworn statement of the facts known to the person at the time the complaint was made.  A citizen may also call our Office of Professional Standards at 863.834.6925 and a team member will assist with filing a concern or compliment. The Office of Professional Standards is open Monday through Friday from 8AM - 5PM.  Additional information can also be found at https://www.lakelandgov.net/departments/lakeland-police-department/table-of-organization/administrative-bureau/office-of-professional-standards/report-a-concern/

  
  Click here to download the Citizen Complaint Form.

• I want to talk to an officer’s supervisor, but not file a complaint.

  If you know the agency member's name or member number, call 863.834.6900 to find out where that person is assigned, and ask to be connected to a supervisor. If you don't know the person's name, but know the general area where the incident in question occurred, visit our Contact Us page to find the phone number to that facility or district, and ask to speak to a supervisor.

• Are complaints subject to public record?

  Yes. Once an Administrative Investigations complaint is complete, it is public record and available for inspection by the public.

911-Related FAQs

• When do I call 911?

  Any time immediate assistance is needed from the police department or medical personnel. If you see a crime occurring, please call 9-1-1 and do not try to take any action yourself; leave it up to the professionals.

• Why do 911 Operators ask so many questions?

  9-1-1 call-takers are trained to ask a series of questions designed to allow them to “see” what is happening at the scene in order to accomplish three essential tasks.

  First, they want to ensure the proper resources are dispatched to the emergency situation right away.

  Second, they want to identify possible hazards and threats to police, fire, and paramedic responders in order to keep them safe.

  Third, they want to determine potential threats to the caller or those at the scene and provide pre-arrival instructions to help ensure the caller’s safety.

  All of this occurs while officers and firefighters are responding to the emergency and receiving updated information from your answers.

• How do I speak to an officer for a non-emergency?

  You can speak to an officer by calling our non-emergency line at 863.834.6900 or visiting our station lobby which is open 24/7.

• How do I know if I’m in the City of Lakeland city limits?

  You can use the City of Lakeland Address Lookup tool to determine if your address is in City of Lakeland city limits or in Polk County.

Traffic FAQs

• What should I do if I am involved in a traffic crash?

  If you are involved in a traffic crash you should first stop and check if there are any injuries and then remain at the scene. If possible you should then move the vehicles off the roadway to allow traffic to flow; there is NO law in Florida that prohibits you from moving your vehicle out of the roadway after a crash. 

  If the crash involves injury, a drunk driver, a hit and run with suspect information, or if your vehicle is disabled requiring a tow, you need to notify the police immediately. If you are involved in a crash with total damage to any vehicle or other property in an apparent amount of at least $500, there are no injuries, and vehicles are driveable, you are still required to notify the appropriate law enforcement agency. 

  If the total damage is less than $500, it is not necessary to report the accident, however, you should exchange driver information among the parties involved in the accident. This information should include; your driver’s license, current vehicle registration and current proof of insurance.

• I saw someone commit a traffic violation and got a picture of their license plate. Can I send that to the police department to investigate?

  No. We cannot take an image of a car violating a law, identify the driver, and go to that person’s house to initiate a report. Secondly, law enforcement officers need a sworn statement from a witness and/or to witness the act themselves in order to be able to charge someone with a crime.

  To report someone committing a traffic violation as it is happening, please call 911 or dial *FHP to connect with Florida Highway Patrol. DO NOT take photos or videos while driving, and do not interact with the driver in question.

• Will the Lakeland Police Department tow an abandoned car?

  The police department can only have vehicles towed that are on public property. Call a wrecker service in your area and the vehicle will be towed away at no expense to you. The wrecker service will notify the owners once they have determined ownership.

• How do I report specific traffic issues in my area?

  You can email mediarelations@lakelandgov.net with your concern, as well as your contact information, and it will be forwarded to the Traffic Unit.

Court-Related FAQs

• How can I get an Injunction For Protection Against Domestic Violence?

  You can petition the court for an Injunction for Protection Against Domestic Violence by going to the Clerk of Court, Domestic Violence Department, 1st Floor, Polk County Courthouse in Bartow. For more information, visit https://www.polkcountyclerk.net/164/Injunctions-for-Protection. 

• I am the owner of a rental property, and one of my tenants is several months behind in their rent. What is the process to have them evicted?

  In order to evict a tenant for non-payment of rent, you must first serve them with a written notice giving the tenant three (3) days to pay. (Note: The three days do not include weekends and legal holidays.) If at that time the tenant still has not satisfied their obligation, you would file suit through the office of the Clerk of County Court. 

  For more information, visit https://www.polkcountyclerk.net/173/Evictions.

• How can I find out if there are any sex offenders in my area?

  To find out if any sex offenders live in your area, you can use the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Sexual Offenders and Predators Search.

Reporting FAQs

• How and when do I report suspicious activity?

  The police department cannot be everywhere all the time; that is why we depend on our citizens to contact us when they see suspicious activity in their area.

  If you encounter suspicious activity in your neighborhood, DO NOT take any action yourself, contact the Lakeland Police Department.

  You can report suspicious activity several ways:

  • Contact Lakeland Police Communications Section at 863.834.6900
  • Submit a tip online at tips@lakelandgov.net 

  Call the tips hotline at 863.834.2549

• I was the victim of a crime. How do I find out the status of an investigation?

  You should receive a call from the detective assigned to your case and they will be able to provide you with the status. You may also contact the Criminal Investigations Section to make an inquiry at 863.834.8950.

• Can I call the Lakeland Police Department to report a problem and still remain anonymous?

  There are several ways you can contact the Lakeland Police Department to report a problem and remain anonymous: 

  • Contact Lakeland Police Communications at 863.834.6900
  • Submit a tip online at tips@lakelandgov.net
  • Submit a tip on a cold case at coldcasetips@lakelandgov.net
  • Call the tips hotline at 863.834.2549

  Contact Heartland Crime Stoppers at 800.226.8477 or heartlandcrimestoppers.com

• How can I report a lost or aggressive animal?

  You can call 911 in an emergency or call Polk County Animal Control at 863.577.1762. Keep in mind that Polk County Animal Control respond to non-domesticated animal calls involving a bite or attack to a human or an animal, particularly those dealing with raccoons, bats, foxes, and other possible rabies carriers.

• What if the animal is not any of the above?

  You can contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission regarding alligators and other wildlife emergencies. Their directory is https://myfwc.com/contact/incident-reporting/.

Records-Related FAQs

• How can I get a copy of a police report?

  The Lakeland Police Department maintains police reports and records for our agency only. 

  Requests for copies of a police report or traffic crash report should be directed to:

  Lakeland Police Department
  Records Section
  219 N Massachusetts Ave
  Lakeland, FL 33801
  863.834.6936

  LPD records requests will be processed in accordance with the Florida Public Records Act. A fee will be charged for copies of all reports or information requested.

• How do I get a copy of an Accident Report?

  Traffic crash accident reports may be requested within 60 days of the accident. You must complete a sworn statement and have it notarized prior to receiving the report.
  
  Click here to download the Sworn Statement.

Health-Related FAQs

• Can I dispose my unused/expired prescription medicines at the police station?

  Residents can drop off unused or expired prescriptions in the special collection box located inside the front doors of our lobby. The pills are collected each week and prepared for disposal that is eco-friendly and in accordance with Federal and State laws.  Our lobby is open 24/7. 

  Not Accepted – Liquids, syringes, or illicit drugs.

• Can I dispose of pet medicine here?

  Yes, you can drop off unused or expired pet medicines in the collection box in our lobby.

• Where can I dispose of my unused/expired injection medication?

  LPD does not collect needles or sharps. Please contact the Lakeland Health Department at 863.519.7910 or visit at 3241 Lakeland Hills Boulevard.

Child-Related FAQs

• Can an officer interview my child at school without notifying the parent/guardian in advance?

  If the child is a suspect in a criminal case, the officer must make every effort to contact the parent or guardian prior to interviewing the child. If the officer cannot make contact with the parent, they can proceed with interviewing your child. It is important that parents keep the “Parent Notification Card” updated with their contact information.
  
  If the child is not a suspect, but the reportee or witness, the officer does not have to contact the parent prior to interviewing the child.

• How can I get a car seat installation/inspection?

  You’ll need to contact the Community Service Unit to set up an appointment. You can call Cindy Sharp at 863.834.6912.